Tag Archives: clothes

Because I’m a fitness instructorI own a lot of spandex. Like a whole dresser full of the stuff. But there occasionally are days when I don’t feel like squeezing my body into super tight active wear, when I don’t want to have to “suck it in” for 60 minutes straight. So after returning from a week in New York—a trip that included more than one bagel splurge—I was on the lookout for a workout outfit that was flattering and functional, but not quite so fitted.

I’ve always loved Moving Comfort sports bras—they are super supportive without being constrictive—but I haven’t worn much of their other fitness apparel. When I saw the brand’s new dance and studio collection I knew it was time to give it a try.

Here’s what I found:

The Metro Capri($68) is made of a super lightweight poly/spandex blend—chances are these pants are much thinner and cooler than the leggings you usually wear. The waistband is elastic, there are pockets in front, and the drawstrings at the bottoms of the legs can be adjusted to be as loose or tight as you like. Of course what I really love about these pants are the shape of them: The hips and legs of the crops are a little loose (as in, they don’t hug every inch) yet they’re fitted enough to flatter. (more…)

You’ve lifted, squatted, stretched, and sweat your way to a fitter life and smaller waistline. However, you’ve also built up muscle in your thighs, calves, and butt, which can make slipping into your favorite pair (or any pair) of jeans a bigger challenge than you may expect.

Famous athletes have complained about the lack of jeans options that fit their athletic frames, and they’re certainly not the only ones with that problem. Anyone who has muscular legs probably knows the struggle of finding pants to fit both your legs and waist.

That’s where Barbell Apparel comes in. They are a new company designing jeans with athletic figures specifically in mind.

You put your fitness apparelthrough the ringer when you work out, sweating in and stretching out garments during long runs, short HIIT blasts, and steamy yoga sessions. But if your tops and crops get abused while on your body, does that give you more or less incentive you treat them with TLC when you wash them for your next wear?

Good question, especially since a single pair of yoga pants can easily cost more than $100 these days.

Full-disclosure: I used to work for lululemon athletica. While doing marketing for the brand’s new SoHo location in 2009 I spent time in the store. Back then, company policy was to tell people to wash garments however they wanted—hot, cold, turbo dryer, or line dry… just no fabric softener.

As a plus-size athlete, it’s really important to me that my workout gear be functional, comfortable, and versatile. Unfortunately, there isn’t much out there for ladies with curves, which means I am either wearing regular sizes that don’t fit quite right—and seem to have a mind of their own—or I’m wearing heavy, ill-fitting, plus-size options. When I was offered the opportunity to review some gear from Lola Getts, which specializes in fashionable fitness gear for women sizes 14-24, I jumped at the chance.

I was sent a complimentary outfit in exchange for my honest opinion and post about it. In a nod back to my rowing days at Wichita State University (Go Shockers!), I went with the black and yellow ‘Lola Tee ($68),’ and a pair of black capri pants ($72).

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